QUESTION:  What is the best kind of vitamin to give my 4-year-old daughter? She is very picky and eats minimal veggies.

DR.BILL: Children at this age can be very picky eaters. My 3½-year old literally runs away from the site of fruits and veggies. We’ve learned to be persistent in keeping the fruit and veggies on her menu. She can eat what she likes, but won’t get anything special or an alternative food if she doesn’t eat the veggies on the plate. As for what vitamin supplement to give her, I usually recommend an age appropriate, regular multivitamin to my parents. We usually use “GummiVites,” but most pediatric multivitamins will do. Some children like the chewable and others the gummies. Some will only take liquid vitamins. I also recommend that you provide the omega-3 fatty acids (like DHA) in her diet. These come in chewable and gummi forms. You can even find many foods fortified with them, such as certain yogurts and butters.

It’s important to know that in general, children won’t starve themselves of vital nutrition. This age group is notorious for only eating “mac & cheese” or chicken nuggets. So long as your pediatrician notes that her height and weight growth is normal, I wouldn’t be too concerned. I also advise parents to let their kids be a part of the picking and making of meals to let them take ownership of this important function. You can take heart in the knowledge that as she grows, her appetite and eating habits will “normalize.”